2 years old!

I can hardly believe that my baby boy is turning two years old today. It seems nearly impossible that two years ago Gabe was born. My sweet and onery little boy :) I love your personality and the way that you challenge me as a mom. You are one of the most determined little boys I know :) If there is something that you want, you don't stop until you figure out how to get it, or make it work. I know that this will serve you well as an adult...but you sure to keep me on my toes. You have the softest heart, and are so sweet to your sister when she is hurt. I love that you two are close! You are the most precious little boy and I love you so much Gabey! Happy birthday sweet heart!

Locks of Love

Hannah before

Me before

Hannah after...such a cheese ball :)

Me after :)

Us with our hair :)

Hannah and I chopped off all of our hair today to donate to Locks of Love :) I was so very proud of my little girl! She didn't even flinch when she got her ponytail cut off! We had a really fun girls afternoon consisting of haircuts, a trip to Claires for new hair things and milkshakes to top it all off. Love spending time with my little girl!

Who needs toys?

When you can build forts with blankets and chairs :)

Game Day!

This year for mothers day, Nick got us family tickets to an Indians game :) It was what I asked for...I love baseball :) We had a blast, and it was fun to have some family time!

Grown up things...

This is probably going to sound pretty silly, but can anyone else relate to those little things that you do that make you feel like a grown up? I planted flowers in my flower bed today....for the first time since we have lived here...and we have lived here for almost 6 years :) As silly as it sounds, it made me feel like a grown up :) I had so much fun taking the kids to the greenhouse, and picking out what we liked, and then bringing it home and planting. We didn't do anything fancy, and only time will tell if these poor plants will manage to survive, but at least for today, I felt like grown up :)

Here is a little bit of what we did today:
Potted geranium...this is Hannah's plant that she picked out :)

Geranium in a hanging basket...my favorite!

Daisies on the step.

My flower beds...geraniums and impatiens...not much to look at yet, but when the impatiens start to spread, I think they will be really pretty :)

Just because I am love with these flowers. Aren't the colors stunning?!

First Soccer Game

Saturday was Hannah's first soccer game! She is playing on the Maroon team at our local YMCA, with one of her buddies from church :) It was an interesting day to say the least :) Hannah can be pretty shy and timid in new situations, but usually warms up pretty quickly. She was a bit nervous when we first got there, but she did a good job during practice, and seemed to enjoy kicking the ball into the net with the other kids on her team.



Unfortunately, that seemed to be where the fun ended. When it came time to actually play, she didn't want to have anything to do with it. This picture pretty much sums it up....



There was also some sitting on the field and crying involved :( She kept saying that she was afraid that someone would kick her in the eye. Poor kid, I felt bad for her, but just kept encouraging her not to be scared, and to try and play. We want her to have fun, but at the same time, she needs to know that you at least have to try. So we'll be back at it next week, hopefully with smiles instead of tears :)

Happy Birthday Honey

Happy Birthday to my incredible husband :) You are my best friend, and I couldn't imagine doing life with anyone else! I love you honey!

Easter

Happy Easter...from our family to yours :)

Frustration

Sometimes I feel so bad for my little Gabey. He so badly wants to be just like his big sister, and to be able to do everything that she does. And when he can't, boy oh boy does he ever get frustrated. This picture was taken right after he tried to get the Brita out of the fridge, and he dumped it all over the kitchen floor. Poor guy. I know that his determination and drive will serve him well when he gets older, and for now, I will just continue to give him lots of love and hugs and snuggles from mommmy...while I still can :)

Bella Bean

Bella bean...that is what I always called my sisters sweet new baby, while she was pregnant with her. Last Monday, at 12:03 in the afternoon, I became an aunt again :) Arabella Mae was born and was 7 lbs 9oz and was 19.5 inches long. We weren't able to head out to visit until Saturday, but we headed out Saturday and came back on Tuesday. And oh the squishy newborn goodness! Love love love my sweet littlest niece. Hannah and Gabe had a ton of fun playing with Sera and Hannah was completely smitten with her new little cousin. She loved holding little Bella! Here are some fun pictures from the long weekend.

Remodel :)

We have lived in our home for going on six years, and during that time the list of things that we really want to fix just seems to get longer and longer :) I am sure that most people can relate to this phenomenon. You cross one thing off the list and add five more. We are big fans of Dave Ramsey, so we made it a rule that we wouldn't do any projects around the house until we could pay for them with cash. Sooooo...we have finally started being able to get some things done! Woo-hooo! First on the list was our lovely master bath. If you had seen our old bathroom, you know that I am using the term "lovely" very sarcastically!!! It was a true 70's bathroom, complete with a teal sink and toilet, a cirle shower (very star trek) and sparkly teal linoleum :) After our remodel, I think it looks like a sophisticated grown ups bathroom. Here are some before and afters, so you can see for yourself.

Before:




And after:







Next project...the kitchen :)

Family Fun Run

Last Saturday Hannah and I participated in a Family Fun Run. Hannah did the kids Fun Run, and I ran the 5K. I ran track in college, but this was my first race since my last race of my senior year...9 years ago... Kind of pathetic, but hey, 9 years can get away from you fast. :) It was a super fun family day, and my awesome hubby did kid patrol so that I could run the 5k. It wasn't very fast, but I was kind of proud of myself :)


The four of us before Hannah's run.


Hannah running! I look like a total goob in this picture, but she looks so cute I posted it anyhow :)


So proud of my little girly! She told me that she was really excited for her first "track running." :) She also told me that when she grows up she wants to do track running and be a mommy....yeah, I totally melted :)

I ran with one of my friends, who I also went to college with, and did track with in college, and I have to say, that was the best part of the whole thing! Dawn...you are an awesome running buddy, and you helped the 3 miles go by really fast!


Me and Dawn, finishing up :)


Finished!

Snow Days :)

Snowy Days :)

We love playing in the snow! Luckily we have had a good amount around here lately :)

Family Picture

I know that all you mom's out there can sympathize with me about how hard it is to get a decent family picture. We took this one before church on Sunday morning, and it (miraculously) only took three tries to get. :) Victory!

My babies :)

Love these little monkeys :)